Five Friday Fellows Elected in November 2024 Cycle

Congratulations to all Friday Fellows who chose a public path of service and leadership in the November 2024 election cycle.  While official results will be certified in the coming weeks, it appears five Friday Fellows were elected in the November 2024 elections.   

Campaigning and public service in elected office are heavy demands that test a person’s ability to continually demonstrate integrity, intention, and inclusion while evaluating power, place, and purpose in an ever-changing world.

As Bill Friday prophetically spoke in his charge to the first class of Friday Fellows nearly 30 years ago, it is our ability to learn, grow, and change that will determine the direction of the Republic.  He said then to class members, “You are going to discover how much courage you really have in challenging demagoguery, hypocrisy, expediency, and misdirected ego.”  These words remain true.

Jay Chaudhuri, Class of 2001-03
Reelected to NC State Senate District 15 covering portions of central Wake County.

Brandon Lofton, Class of 2014-16
Reelected to NC State House District 104 covering portions of south central Mecklenberg County.

Robin Merrell, Class of 2006-08
Elected as a District Court Judge for District 40, Seat 6 which covers Buncombe County. 

Graig Meyer, Class of 2003-05
Reelected to NC State Senate District 23 covering Caswell, Orange, and Person Counties.

Deborah Ross, Class of 1995-97
Reelected to US House District 2 covering portions of central and northern Wake County.

US House, NC Senate, and NC House members serve two year terms. NC District Court Judges are elected to four year terms.

Chaudhuri, Lofton, Meyer, and Ross were reelected as incumbents in districts largely covering areas represented in the prior election cycle.  Merrell won election to the judicial seat as a newcomer in a contested primary in March 2024, but faced no formal opposition in the November general election.

No matter the time in an electoral cycle, Bill Friday’s advice on listening is always sound.

If a Friday Fellow in the 2024 election cycle has been omitted, please email.